Congregation gathers to mark Queen's coronation

Hundreds have streamed into Westminster Abbey in London to the sound of church bells to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Members of the royal family, VIPs and commoners have taken their places inside the abbey for the service, preparing for the entrance of the monarch exactly 50 years to the day since she was crowned.

Prince Charles' companion Camilla Parker Bowles, in a wide-brimmed hat, joined the congregation, as did Sir Edmund Hillary, whose conquest of Mount Everest was announced on the same day, June 2, 1953, as the coronation.

Also seen was former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, who chatted with Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown on their way into the abbey.

Prime Minister Tony Blair is away at a Group of Eight summit in France.

Among the 2,250-strong congregation are 16 senior members of the royal family, including Prince Charles and his eldest son Prince William, second and third in line for the throne.

Some 1,000 members of the public, including 34 "coronation babies" born on the day of the crowning, were also invited to join in the commemoration.

The ceremony is to be followed by a tea-party at Buckingham Palace.

The low-key celebrations are in sharp contrast to the Jubilee last year and the four days of festivities that marked its climax.